Starting Z4 E89 which has been sitting for 3.5 years

ctan14 · 04-07-2019, 07:00 PM

Hi all

I have a 2014 Z4 LCI s28i MT which I have kept garaged and under a cover for the past 3.5 years (long story short, I moved overseas which turned out to be much longer than I anticipated...)

I'm very excited to be going home for a while and get a chance to drive my car and wanted to get some advice from some fellow owners.

I called the dealership and they said I should have no problems starting the car again; charge the battery and pump the tires and good to go

I was thinking I'd need to do more:
1. Change the fluids and filter (coolant, oil, transmission)
2. Drain the fuel, change the filter
3. Slow charge the battery to get it going again (might need to change it once I get it going?)
4. Check and replace the tires

Would love to get people's thoughts and ideas on how to get my baby up and running again and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

NoQuarter · 04-12-2019, 07:22 PM

transmission and coolant - I wouldn't bother

Add fresh fuel

charge the battery

start it up

**Inspect everywhere first for any varmints, chewed wires, etc

Vetracr · 04-13-2019, 10:00 PM

Don't forget to change the brake fluid and bleed the brakes. I'd also change the coolant but be careful to do it correctly and follow the factory procedure so as not to damage the water pump.

javis20 · 04-15-2019, 07:58 AM

Charge the battery, fill the tires and start it up. Then drive to a gas station and fill up with premium fuel. I see no reason to change brake fluid just because the car was sitting.

Vetracr · 04-15-2019, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javis20

Charge the battery, fill the tires and start it up. Then drive to a gas station and fill up with premium fuel. I see no reason to change brake fluid just because the car was sitting.

Wrong. Brake fluid is hydroscopic. It absorbs moisture from the air contaminating the brake fluid with water. I guess you've never driven hard enough to boil your brakes. Under hard use the moisture in the brake fluid boils and becomes steam causing the pedal to go to the floor. Been there, done that. It's not fun.

Asbjorn · 04-23-2019, 12:16 PM

iDrive should give you a list of things that need changing, incl brakefluid, engine oil etc. You will also need a new battery.

Tires will have lost alot of grip, good opportunity to get rid of the rfts.

My main concern would be the roof hydralics though. Look after leaks on first application and maybe do it near a bmw dealer haha.

ctan14 · 05-24-2019, 09:58 PM

Quick update: did as you guys suggested and no problems at all. I had to change the battery as it wouldn't take any charge but apart from that all good. Took it into the shop and got the brake and coolant fluids changed, and all good

Thanks all!

04-07-2019, 07:00 PM	#1
ctan14 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89 LCI sDrive 28i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Starting Z4 E89 which has been sitting for 3.5 years Hi all I have a 2014 Z4 LCI s28i MT which I have kept garaged and under a cover for the past 3.5 years (long story short, I moved overseas which turned out to be much longer than I anticipated...) I'm very excited to be going home for a while and get a chance to drive my car and wanted to get some advice from some fellow owners. I called the dealership and they said I should have no problems starting the car again; charge the battery and pump the tires and good to go I was thinking I'd need to do more: 1. Change the fluids and filter (coolant, oil, transmission) 2. Drain the fuel, change the filter 3. Slow charge the battery to get it going again (might need to change it once I get it going?) 4. Check and replace the tires Would love to get people's thoughts and ideas on how to get my baby up and running again and all help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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04-12-2019, 07:22 PM	#2
NoQuarter Captain 164 Rep 906 Posts Drives: 2008 535xi / 2011 Z4 35Is Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW X2 [0.00] 2008 535xi [0.00] 2011 Z4 35is [0.00]	transmission and coolant - I wouldn't bother Add fresh fuel charge the battery start it up **Inspect everywhere first for any varmints, chewed wires, etc
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04-13-2019, 10:00 PM	#3
Vetracr Private First Class 30 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW Z4 3.0 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Palm Beach, FL iTrader: (0)	Don't forget to change the brake fluid and bleed the brakes. I'd also change the coolant but be careful to do it correctly and follow the factory procedure so as not to damage the water pump.
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04-15-2019, 07:58 AM	#4
javis20 Private 13 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2011 Z4 3.0i Silver Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Central PA iTrader: (0)	Charge the battery, fill the tires and start it up. Then drive to a gas station and fill up with premium fuel. I see no reason to change brake fluid just because the car was sitting.
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04-23-2019, 12:16 PM	#6
Asbjorn Captain 89 Rep 833 Posts Drives: Z4 N54 DCT (VTT GC lites) Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: European in China iTrader: (0)	iDrive should give you a list of things that need changing, incl brakefluid, engine oil etc. You will also need a new battery. Tires will have lost alot of grip, good opportunity to get rid of the rfts. My main concern would be the roof hydralics though. Look after leaks on first application and maybe do it near a bmw dealer haha.
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05-24-2019, 09:58 PM	#7
ctan14 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89 LCI sDrive 28i Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	Quick update: did as you guys suggested and no problems at all. I had to change the battery as it wouldn't take any charge but apart from that all good. Took it into the shop and got the brake and coolant fluids changed, and all good Thanks all!
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